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[40]
Nevertheless, Milo restrained himself,
and twice summoned Publius Clodius before the court, but never once invited
him to a trial of strength in scenes of violence. What do I say? while Milo
was a private individual, and on his trial before the people, on the
accusation of Publius Clodius, when an attack was made on Cnaeus Pompeius,
while speaking in defence of Milo, was there not then not only an admirable
opportunity of, but even a reasonable pretext for slaying him? And lately,
when Marcus Antonius had inspired all virtuous men with the very greatest
hope of safety, and when he, being a most noble young man, had with the
greatest gallantry espoused the cause of the republic, and had that beast
almost in his toils in spite of his avoiding the snares of the law; what an
opportunity, what a time and place was there, O ye immortal gods! And when
Clodius had fled and hidden himself in the darkness of the stairs, there was
a fine opportunity for Milo to slay him without incurring the slightest
odium himself, and to load Antonius at the same time with the greatest
glory!

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